Steven Joseph "Steve" Carl (born December 20, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, Carl previously competed for Bellator from 2010 to 2011 and last competed in the welterweight division for Absolute Championship Akhmat. He is the former WSOF Welterweight Champion. Background Carl was a 2003 graduate of Belle Plaine High School, in Belle Plaine, Iowa. While there he enjoyed a successful wrestling career where he qualified for the state tournament in 2001. He was also a S.I.C.L (South Iowa Cedar League) and Sectional Champion in 2003. He graduated from Kirkwood Community College with the class of 2009. Mixed martial arts career Early career While in the Army Carl started training at the Grapplers Lair, after two months of training and no amateur fights Carl made his professional debut on November 5, 2005, against Andrew Perkins, winning the fight via submission (strikes). Carl went undefeated at 5-0 before taking his first loss to future UFC fighter, Brian Foster. Carl rattled off seven consecutive wins, six of which were finishes, before being signed by Bellator. Bellator Carl made his debut for the promotion on April 22, 2010, at Bellator 15 in the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament. He was matched against Brett Cooper and after three close rounds, Carl won the fight via split decision. In the semi-final round Carl was matched against Sengoku veteran, Dan Hornbuckle, at Bellator 19. Carl lost the fight midway into the first round via submission, eliminating him from the tournament. Carl took an off-tournament fight against Tyler Stinson at Bellator 26. Midway into the first round Carl applied a guillotine choke and choked Stinson unconscious. The impressive win earned him entry into the next season Welterweight Tournament. However, Carl injured his foot and was unable to compete in the tournament. Carl entered into the Bellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament, and was matched against the tournament favorite Douglas Lima. The fight took place at Bellator 49. Carl lost the fight via unanimous decision. Carl was released from the promotion after the loss. Post-Bellator In December 2011 Carl made his post-Bellator debut fighting for Far Eastern Federation of Modern Pankration in Russia. He defeated Rustam Bogatirev via submission in the first round. On March 2, 2012, Carl fought Mason Temiquel, taking the fight on only one day's notice, winning via submission and then on July 28, 2012, later defeated Vic Hall